ON THE PAUL
Man Utd boss Solskjaer hints Paul Pogba could sign new deal after return to form
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER is hopeful of getting Paul Pogba to sign a new contract at Manchester United to end uncertainty over his future.
This time last year the French World Cup winner said he wanted a new challenge away from Old Trafford.
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The 27-year-old then played only eight games prior to lockdown, with an ankle injury a factor.
But Solskjaer has been pleased with Pogba’s attitude and performances since the restart and said: “Hopefully we can do something.
"Since Paul has come back he’s looking better and better. He’s enjoying his football and let’s see where it takes us.
“We want to keep the best players around the club. We want to build a squad for the future.”
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Pogba has next season left on his contract, with the club having an option to extend that to 2022.
But there has been no move to trigger that extension yet.
Real Madrid were interested in Pogba but even with United dropping their asking price to £100million, the economic downturn has made clubs re-evaluate their spending.
Solskjaer said: “There’s got to be realism. The whole world has changed both financially and the perception we’ve got on values.”
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One player United were interested in was Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish.
Yet that is no longer a priority with the return to form of Nemanja Matic, Pogba looking like he is staying and Scott McTominay in the wings.
Still, Grealish remains a player Solskjaer admires and will be one of the main dangers when they face Aston Villa tonight.
Asked about a move for Grealish, Solskjaer added: “We’ve been linked with many good players and every individual linked with Man United looks at it as a compliment.
“There’s no need for me to discuss where we’re going to try to strengthen.”
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Solskjaer has had to deny trying to tap up Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake.
He was caught on camera after United’s 5-2 win on Saturday apparently saying to Ake: “We need a left-footed centre-back, so keep going.”
But yesterday, Solskjaer said: “I’ve got seven centre-backs, so I don’t know where that comes from. We’re fine.”
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